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Behind every successful IT project, you’ll find a highly skilled project manager. From hardware and software upgrades and ongoing security patches, to application development and the software rollouts themselves, project managers keep your teams productive and on task.

Almost any IT pro can benefit from adding a project management certification to their list of IT credentials, showing you have the know-how to plan, schedule, budget, execute, deliver, and report on IT initiatives. Here, CIO.com outlines the most popular PM certifications that will add value and help you hone your skills.

Which project management certification is best?

There are several to choose from and the best for you will be whichever one aligns closest with your career goals and expertise. Entry-level project managers will want to look toward certs designed for beginners, demonstrating you have a baseline understanding of project management. These certifications can also get you up to speed on the fundamentals of project management, giving you the foundation to begin a career in the field.  

As your career progresses, you’ll want to earn more advanced certs to validate your skills and experience. There are many designed for everyone including experts in PM, validating that you have the expertise to lead PM teams and manage large-scale projects.

Project management certifications for beginners

Associate in Project Management (APM)

The  (APM) certification offered by The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) is an entry-level project management cert to validate your fundamental knowledge of the Project Management Framework. It’s aimed at those with little to no experience in PM and includes an online course you’ll be required to complete before taking the exam. The course covers topics such as training and all the basics of the role you’ll need to be successful. It’s targeted at managers and project team members, students at the graduate or undergraduate level, entry-level practitioners, and anyone with an interest in PM as a career.

Price: $175

Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course; no formal education or experience requirements.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the  certification is the precursor to the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (see below). For professionals without a college degree, with only rudimentary PM experience, or those who want to achieve their PMP certification in steps rather than all at once, the CAPM is a steppingstone to the more rigorous PMP.

For more information, see CAPM certification guide: Certified Associate in Project Management exam.

Price: $225 PMI members; $300 non-members.

Requirements: High-school diploma, associate degree or equivalent, and at least 1,500 hours of PM experience or 23 hours of PM education.

Certified Project Manager (CPM-IAPM)

The  is offered by the International Association of Project Managers (IAPM) as an entry-level cert for those with a basic understanding of PM, and covers the necessary knowledge to theoretically plan, organize, and implement a project effectively, according to the IAPM. It’s designed for those who aspire to have a career in PM and doesn’t require prior experience in the field. The exam covers a range of topics, including project check, project environment, steering committees and core teams, creation of the Phase Model and WBS, cost breakdown and budget, risk analysis, project review, and more.

Price: Fee depends on candidate’s nationality, as pricing is based on country-of-origin’s GDP. In the US, the exam is $514.

Requirements: None, but IAPM offers workshops through global training partners, or recommended literature for self-study. Candidates can also take a self-test to benchmark their knowledge.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The use of Agile methodologies has become standard, so it’s not surprising that IT practitioners uniquely qualified to manage projects in Agile environments are in high demand. While there are different Scrum master certifications available, the  (CSM) from Scrum Alliance is a great jumping-off point for project managers getting started as Scrum practitioners. The Scrum Alliance is a nonprofit that encourages the adoption of Scrum and Agile practices, promotes user groups and learning events, and provides resources for professional development. The organization boasts more than 450,000 certified practitioners worldwide.

For a deeper look at the CSM, see CSM certification guide: Certified ScrumMaster exam explained.

Price: Varies by training provider, but approximately $995 to $1,395.

Requirements: General familiarity with Scrum and completion of a two-day CSM training course.

CompTIA Project+

 is an entry-level credential for IT professionals charged with managing smaller, less complex projects as part of their roles. Candidates for this cert should have knowledge and experience with managing project life cycles, maintaining project documentation, managing resources and stakeholders, and ensuring appropriate communication. The exam covers project basics, project constraints, communication and change management, and project tools and documentation. It’s best suited for IT project coordinators or managers, IT project team members, business analysts, directors, or team leaders.

Price: $369

Requirements: At least 12 months of cumulative PM experience or equivalent education.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

Offered by the PMI, the  is designed to validate your knowledge of Agile principles and skills with Agile techniques. The exam covers topics including Scrum, Kanban, Lean, extreme programming (XP), and test-driven development (TDD). It’s aimed at those who work on Agile teams or in Agile organizations, and focuses on seven main domains of knowledge including Agile principles and mindset, value-driven delivery, stakeholder engagement, team performance, adaptive planning, problem detection and resolution, and continuous improvement.

Price: $435 for members, $495 for non-members.

Requirements: Candidates for the exam must have a secondary degree, 21 contact hours of training in Agile practices, 12 months of project experience within the past five years or eight months of Agile project experience within the past three years. A current PMP or PgMP certification can satisfy the requirement for 12 months of experience but isn’t required for the exam.

PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner

Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) is most well-known outside the US, especially in the UK and its government entities. The PRINCE2 certifications are delivered by Axelos and focus on directing, managing, and delivering projects across all phases, pre-project, initiation, delivery, and final delivery. The PRINCE2 Foundation certification is an entry-level credential that tests basic PM terminology and methodology, whereas the Practitioner certification tests advanced project managers who’ve already achieved PRINCE2 Foundation. These certs are targeted at aspiring project managers, project board members, team managers, project assurance professionals, project support professionals, and operational line managers or staff.

Price: Price varies based on location.

Requirements: PRINCE2 Foundation course, and the PRINCE2 Practitioner requires one of the following: PRINCE2 Foundation, Project Management Professional (PMP), CAPM, or an IPMA certification.

Advanced project management certifications

BVOP Certified Project Manager

) is an Agile-based framework that’s grown in popularity in the UK. BVOP emphasizes business value in all project management activities and practices. The BVOP Certified Project Manager is for senior practitioners with experience in both project and people management. The focus on a people-oriented culture sets it apart from other PM certification programs. It’s a cert aimed at senior project managers, Agile professionals, product managers and owners, Scrum masters, and business analysts. The BVOP approach helps to develop professionals’ collaboration skills, and candidates for certification not only gain project and product management skills, but also learn to become more people-focused leaders.

Price: $130

Requirements: No previous professional project management experience required, but it’s recommended you have previous PM certs or experience before taking the exam. Free study guides and preparation materials are available online.

Certified Project Management (CPM)

The EC-Council’s  course is for project managers who want to benchmark their skills through hands-on experience and across various management techniques and tools that are necessary to successfully and efficiently manage complex projects. The course includes on-demand instructor-led training videos, online CyberQ Labs, a continuing education video subscription, and live instructor-led training in-person or online. You can select from three course options: the basic package includes a single video course, labs, e-courseware and the certification exam, while the mid-tier package adds on the CodeRed continuing education video subscription and live instructor training. The top-tier package includes an additional certification course, exam insurance, and online exam prep.

Price: $999 for the single video course package, $2,999 for the unlimited video courses, or $3,499 for the full live-course bundle.

Requirements: No prerequisites.

PRINCE2 Agile Foundation/Agile Practitioner

The  offered by Axelos are designed for those working in Agile environments, and validate your knowledge of PRINCE2 governance requirements, Agile concepts, and techniques. The Foundation cert covers the fundamentals of the PRINCE2 method, governance requirements, and Agile concepts such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean Start-up, and Cynefin. Once you pass the Foundation cert, you’ll be eligible for the PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner cert, which takes the foundational knowledge covered in the first exam and validates your ability to apply it in real-world management examples.

Price: Varies based on location.

Requirements: No requirements for the Foundation exam but you’ll need to pass the Agile Foundation exam to qualify for the Agile Practitioner exam.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The gold standard in PM certs, the   offered by PMI is a rigorous test that covers absolutely everything you need to prove your knowledge and skill in managing the triple constraints: time, cost, and scope. The certification validates your project leadership experience and expertise, and demonstrates your capabilities to help organizations work more efficiently. The exam covers topics such as managing conflict, building and leading effective teams, training and empowering team members and stakeholders, executing projects to deliver business value, assessing and managing risks,  and planning and managing budgets and resources, among others. For more about the PMP, and tips on how to pass it, see PMP certification: How to ace the Project Management Professional exam.

Price: Computer-based exams are $425 for PMI members and $675 for non-members; and paper-based exams are $250 for PMI members and $400 for non-members.

Requirements: Four-year secondary degree plus three years of PM experience, 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours PM education or CAPM certification; or a high-school diploma, five years of PM experience, 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of PM education.

Professional in Project Management (PPM)

The  (PPM) is a mid-tier credential from GAQM whose PM certifications are focused on a broad knowledge base and emphasize effective resource allocation, clear direction, adaptability to change, effective communication, and assurance of quality deliverables at minimal risk. The cert covers how to plan, execute, control, and complete project schedules, and how to develop project measures, approach project control, and lead project teams. The PPM is targeted at intermediate to experienced project managers involved in risk and crisis management, and in day-to-day PM.

Price: $340

Requirements: GAQM body of knowledge study and e-course. No formal education or experience requirements, but candidates should have at least some project management experience to pass the exam.

Expert project management certifications

Certified Project Director (CPD)

The  certification is GAQM’s highest-level PM cert. This designation is designed for experienced project managers involved in directing multiple complex projects and programs. The certification focuses on managing, budgeting, and determining scope for multiple projects, multiple project teams, and assessing and mitigating interdependent risks to deliver projects successfully. The CDP program is only for those who have significant project management experience.

Price: $280

Requirements: Qualified candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree or global equivalent, and must hold one of the following certifications: a PPM certification from GAQM, a PMP certification from PMI, a PRINCE2 Practitioner certification from APMG, or a CPM certification from GIAC. 

Master Project Manager (MPM) 3

The American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) has modeled the  (MPM) after the professional licensure model that many professions such as pilots, engineers, doctors, and lawyers follow. The AAPM focuses on professional project managers, but also includes professionals with business and technical management responsibilities. The MPM certification is aimed at senior project managers and project directors who have an undergraduate or master’s degree.  

Price: $300 for application, review, processing, initiation, and certification.

Requirements: Three years of PM experience and training. Waivers available for professionals holding a master’s degree or other qualified training and experience, and military or project management instructors.

Program Management Professional (PgMP)

The  offered by the PMI is designed for program managers who are senior-level practitioners responsible for advancing the organization’s strategic goals. Candidates for this exam should have extensive experience managing multiple related projects, and navigating complex environments across different departments, job functions, regions, or cultures to align results with organizational goals. The exam covers topics including strategic program management, program life cycles, benefits management, stakeholder management, and governance.

Price: $800 for members and $1,000 for non-members.

Requirements: A secondary degree or global equivalent, 48 months of PM experience or a PMP certification, and 84 months of program management experience within the past 15 years. Those with a four-year degree will need 48 months of PM experience or a PMP certification, and 48 months of PM experience within the past 15 years.